Yellow Gold
Many people come to our custom design jeweler in Seattle and Bellevue, looking for an attractive, classic aesthetic in their jewelry. For such a look, it can be tough to beat the timeless qualities of yellow gold.
Yellow gold is one of the oldest precious metals. It has a very elegant and warm look to it, especially when contrasted against skin. Yellow gold jewelry has the potential to be a timeless gift for more than one occasion. The following is an overview of yellow gold jewelry, as well as its many uses.
Easy and Practical
To begin, yellow gold is considerably the easiest precious metal to maintain as well as repair. Re-sizing yellow gold jewelry is relatively inexpensive and repairs can be done in as little as a few hours. Extensive repairs only take a few days on average and are still very cost friendly. Compared to other precious metals, yellow gold jewelry is very easy to maintain and very practical.
Why Not Use Pure Gold?
A lot of people wonder why "pure gold" isn't used in the production of yellow gold jewelry. The answer is simple: pure gold is too soft and malleable to survive the wear and tear it would endure from daily wear. Pure gold scratches and dents very easily, and it would simply cost too much money for a lot of people to even think about buying in the first place. That's why the majority of yellow gold jewelry that you see on the market today is actually a combination of gold and various other metals. These gold alloys are what determine the karat grade of a given piece of yellow gold jewelry. For example, you can buy a ring in 10k, 14k, and 18k gold. The higher the karat, the more gold there is in that piece of jewelry. This is why lower karat gold jewelry is stronger and more durable than higher karat jewelry - it has been mixed with more durable metals and has become stronger in the process. Most yellow gold jewelry will come with a stamp indicating the karat of the material used to make the piece.
10k Yellow Gold Jewelry
One of the major benefits associated with purchasing 10k yellow gold jewelry is that it will save you a lot of money. But that's not the only reason to consider it. In fact, this type of gold is very strong because it is mixed with many alloys that increase its durability, strength, and resistance to scratches. 10k yellow gold jewelry won't tarnish over time and won't need as much maintenance done down the road. This makes it ideal for a lot of people and for jewelry you plan on wearing every day.
14k Yellow Gold Jewelry
Gold that falls within this karat range is a bit less affordable and a bit more pliable. However, 14k yellow gold jewelry has a better color tone to it than 10k gold, and it will not tarnish over time. If you can afford this karat of gold, it is usually the best option as it tends to be the perfect mix of the 10k and the 18k karat alloys.
18k Yellow Gold Jewelry
Last but not least, we have 18k yellow gold jewelry. This is the most expensive of the three karat ranges but it also happens to be the nicest. 18k gold is a beautiful choice when you are looking for luxury and style. While it won't hold up as well to constant wear and tear as a 10k or 14k piece, it boasts beauty and provides color contrasts that you can't find in other jewelry. While the price is higher, the value is certainly there as well.